Targeting politician's child in Malaysia is highly uncommon, use of syringe in such attack even more unusual - Criminologist

SHAH ALAM - In Malaysia, it is highly uncommon for perpetrators to target a politician’s family member, especially a child, over the politician.

The recent syringe attack against Pandan MP Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli’s 12-year-old son has been described by Manipal University College Malaysia criminologist Nadiah Syariani Md Shariff as an unusual and premeditated act that sends a chilling message nationwide.

She said from a criminological standpoint, attacks on family members of high-profile figures were rare in Malaysia but more common in countries with high political tension, weak law enforcement or strong organised crime.

“From a criminological perspective, when the intended target is someone of high social status, especially those in positions of authority making significant decisions, the motive can often be tied to their influence and power, though that is not always the primary cause.

“In Malaysia, it is highly uncommon for perpetrators to target a politician’s family member, especially a child. Usually, the focus is on the politicians themselves.

“However, in countries with high political tension, weak law enforcement or strong organised crime, this tactic is more frequent,” she told Sinar Daily.

Rafizi revealed that a threatening message was sent to his wife following the assault on their 12-year-old son yesterday.

Nadiah said targeting a child can be a form of intimidation with an outsized psychological impact.

She said such an act carried relatively low risk for the perpetrator but offered high leverage.

This, she said may have been either because a child was more vulnerable and less protected making it easier to exert indirect psychological pressure on the main target or as a symbolic act intended to erode public confidence in safety and governance.

“In this case, the fact that it happened in a public place against a defenceless child has amplified fear nationwide, sending a chilling message that even one’s immediate family is not beyond reach.

“It is difficult to say for certain if an attack is politically motivated unless there is a clear communication of threat from the perpetrators. Given the demographic and background of the intended target, political motives are possible and should be considered so they are not overlooked.

“I believe examining the victim’s profession, social circles, daily routines and recent interactions can give valuable insights into the true motives, especially since influential positions often attract threats from many directions.

“Random attacks can often be ruled out and in most extortion cases, demands are made known; usually financial. In some instances, the victim’s actions may have been perceived as a provocation, leading to retaliation,” she added.

Nadiah pointed out that political and personal motives often intertwine, with political grievances at times escalating into personal vendettas.

The greatest hurdle for investigators was establishing political intent with solid proof and connecting perpetrators to political affiliations, instigators or networks, particularly when there was no direct admission of threat.

In such cases, she said, the investigation relied heavily on circumstantial evidence, which can lead to multiple interpretations of the crime.

She also stressed on how uncommon it was for a syringe to be used as a weapon in direct assaults.

“Using a syringe in an attack is highly unusual in direct assault cases, where physical harm is typically more overt. In my view, a syringe can serve as a covert weapon as it is easy to transport, causes minimal disturbance at the scene and is even more commonly used by female perpetrators.

“The fact that there was surveillance behaviour before the incident and that the syringe was deliberately brought to the scene points to a premeditated attack, likely aimed at intimidation and causing psychological trauma to both the child and the intended principal.

“I can not say more without knowing the syringe’s contents, as the case is still under investigation.

“But if it contained a harmful toxic substance, then the intention to cause direct harm would be clear, something that would require knowledge of the substance and its effective or lethal dosage,” she said.

On Aug 14, Rafizi alleged that the recent attack on his son and threats sent to his wife were attempts to stop him from investigating a scandal revealed by whistleblowers last week.

He said the assailant dragged and injected his son with an unknown substance outside a shopping centre in Putrajaya on Aug 13, in what he believed was a premeditated and professionally executed act.

Tests showed no immediate signs of drugs or poison, but his son would undergo six months of medical monitoring to rule out viral infections.

Following the incident, his wife received two threatening messages—one at 1.12am and another at 11am on Aug 14 stating, “Be quiet, if you continue, AIDS,” with syringe emojis.

Rafizi suggested the threats targeted his family to pressure him through his wife, knowing he would not be easily intimidated directly. He highlighted that few knew their new address and believed his wife’s movements had been tracked.

Despite the intimidation, Rafizi vowed not to alter his course, stressing that he and his family had endured similar pressures in the past. He confirmed that police were investigating the possible link between the attack and his work and said his family would now live under heightened security.